stunning
Stunning (adj) means Extremely beautiful or impressive. Example: “The bride looked stunning in her simple white dress.”
adj
1
Extremely beautiful or impressive.
"The bride looked stunning in her simple white dress."
"The view from the summit was stunning."
"She wore a stunning red gown to the gala."
2
Shocking or startling.
"The news of the sudden closure was stunning to everyone."
"The film has a stunning twist that nobody saw coming."
"It was a stunning defeat for the reigning champions."
How to use stunning
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither breathtakingly beautiful, or shocking/surprising, depending on context.
Common pairings
stunning views
stunning victory
stunning defeat
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Word forms
- Plural
- stunnings
- Comparative
- more stunning
- Superlative
- most stunning
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The bride looked _____ in her simple white dress.
Etymology
Comes from Middle English stunnyng, stunnynge or stounyng, equivalent to stun plus -ing.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for stunning
See all rhymes for stunning →Frequently asked questions
What does “stunning” mean?
The word “stunning” means extremely beautiful or impressive. In plain terms, either breathtakingly beautiful, or shocking/surprising, depending on context.
How do you use “stunning” in a sentence?
Here is “stunning” used in a sentence: “The view from the summit was stunning.”
What part of speech is “stunning”?
“Stunning” is an adjective.
Is “stunning” a common word?
“Stunning” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “stunning” have?
“Stunning” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: extremely beautiful or impressive.
What is the difference between stunning and beautiful?
Stunning is a stronger word than beautiful, describing something extremely beautiful or impressive enough to make a striking impact. Something beautiful is pleasing to look at, whereas something stunning is so beautiful it almost takes your breath away.
Can stunning be negative?
Yes. Besides meaning extremely beautiful or impressive, stunning can mean shocking or startling. In that sense a stunning turn of events is one that catches people off guard rather than one that looks lovely.
How can stunning mean both beautiful and shocking?
Both senses come from the idea of an overwhelming impact. One meaning is extremely beautiful or impressive, and the other is shocking or startling. The surrounding context shows whether admiration or surprise is intended.
